Check out and share our Mack$well Interview. This interview is part of our new Producer & Engineer Q&A Series. In this interview series we feature exciting producers, mixing and mastering engineers from all walks of life. As always: Share & Support!
Please introduce yourself real quick. Tell our audience about your background and how you go into doing what you´re doing right now.
My name is Max, I go by the nickname Mack$well. I've been producing for only about a year now, and I intend to go to school and possibly major in Music Theory and Sound Engineering. I mainly produce hip-hop and trap instrumentals, as well as some lo-fi hip-hop on the side. I generally look for criticism and feedback on my music, and I am constantly making new tracks. I might not be the best producer right now, but I am working at it, tirelessly.
Please tell our audience what projects have you been working on in the last years?
As I said earlier, I mainly work on trap/hip-hop instrumentals. Since I've only been producing for about a year, I don't have any major projects under my belt as of yet, but I have big plans for the future.
I am getting better at what I do with each track that I create, some of my latest tracks include:
https://soundcloud.com/mackswell_prod/smoke
https://soundcloud.com/mackswell_prod/launch-redux
What are you currently working on? Do you accept clients and and what kind of projects/work fits your profile?
I am currently working on one of my larger projects, a track I've been working on for over a week now and intend on completing only once it's achieved perfection. As of right now, I don't license my tracks, so I haven't made any sales, by choice. Since I'm still working on my craft, I'm not ready to start selling my work, so when I collaborate with artists, it's for no cost. Simply the exposure I can get from collaborating is enough to motivate me to continue working and improving.
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Are you a superfan of anyone? How did you become a superfan? Do you remember how you become a fan and what turned you into super fan? Have you ever thought about why you´re such a fan?
I've been a fan of Childish Gambino (a.k.a., Donald Glover) since 2012. His music is what got me into hip-hop in the first place, so I place a huge amount of thanks on him and all of his projects.
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What was the biggest mistake you made when you started making music and what would be the number one tip you could give to a newcomer musician?
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How do you get gigs? Can you share any tips?
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Do you have good promotion tips for other musicians?
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Do you have insights on how to grow your audience on soundcloud that you want to share with our audience?
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What has been your biggest challenge right now? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
My biggest challenge right now is coming up with new ideas, and staying motivated to make those ideas into actual songs.
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How do you personally discover new music?
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Once you discovered new music, do you tell others about the new music/artist you discovered? If yes, how exactly?
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What is your number one tip to improve your music production or songwriting skills?
Utilize feedback and criticism. From day one I have been motivated to get people to listen to my music solely so that they can help me improve it. The only way you're going to get better at what you do is if you listen to the people that listen to you.
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What is your best tip for those who struggle with finishing their tracks?
Never dwell on one track. Dwelling on a single track can hold you back for weeks, months, or longer. There is always a finish for every song, if you're struggling to find it, you might have found that finish. Not every track you make is going to sound perfect to you, even when you do finish it. The main idea is to always move forward, and be ready to move onto the next song.
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We meet again in one year. What has changed?
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https://soundcloud.com/mackswell_prod
https://twitter.com/Mack_S_Well
https://www.instagram.com/mackswellprod
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Enter your questions to the artist in the facebook comment section below.
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